Part I Welcome to University

Welcome to university! You are taking an exciting step, and you will learn not only new information but also many new skills.

The transition from high school to post-secondary studies can be challenging. Expectations will be higher, and you will be required to work independently. Required readings will become more complex, and you will be required to write more complex assignments. Part 1 is designed to help you make this transition smoothly and successfully.

Chapter 1 explains the differences between high school and university. It also introduces strategies you can use to be successful in your studies, including setting goals, managing your time, understanding your learning preferences, taking useful notes, and identifying helpful resources.

Chapter 2 describes how to effectively read academic articles and books. You will learn strategies for reading actively and critically, improving your comprehension, and retaining information.

Chapter 3 introduces the types of writing expected in university, explains what academic writing is, briefly introduces the writing process (which will be examined in more detail in Part 2), and offers strategies for managing complex writing assignments.